Sitting judge to monitor quality of roads

The state government is contemplating appointing sitting district judges to look into the complaints of poor quality of work in construction and maintenance of roads. A decision in this regard would be taken soon after discussing the matter in the cabinet meeting.

Minister for public works C M Udasi who had a meeting with chief engineers of the department here on Tuesday told reporters that the appointment of sitting judges would ensure speedy inquiry into complaints and quick remedial action. “It will also deter the contractorsôengineers from going for poor quality of work” he said. Hitherto complaints regarding poor quality of work were referred to a committee headed by retired judges. There used to be delay in former judges completing the inquiry and hence the decision to appoint sitting judges, the minister explained.

Udasi said the government was taking steps to develop 1000 km of roads on public private participation (PPP) basis and the bidding will be completed by June end. The works will cover state highways and district roads. Funds at the rate of Rs 15,000 per kilometer will be earmarked for maintaining 21,000 km of state highway and 47,000 kms of district roads before and after monsoons. The government had taken up 69 packages for a period from 2005-2008 for road development and of them 37 had been completed, Udasi stated. Under the Nabard’s RIDF 14 scheme 360 works at an estimated cost of Rs 290 crore will be taken up and the tenders have already been invited. Similarly proposal for road works for Rs 300 crore under Nabard’s RIDF 15 scheme have been sent.

The minister informed that 114 taluks covering 132 assembly segments would be provided Rs 230 crore for development of roads during 2009-2010 as per Nanjundappa Committee’s recommendation. The survey work for construction of four-lane between Dharwad and Hubli has been completed. The Rs 100 crore work will start after getting cabinet’s approval.